JP2015159949A - Endoscope system and control method of endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope system, etc. capable of suppressing an unnecessary increase in power consumption attributable to the driving of a light source.SOLUTION: An endoscope system 1 includes: a light source part for supplying illumination light for illuminating a subject; a light emission control part for controlling the light source part to cause the light source part to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern; a light detection part for detecting return light of the illumination light poured on the subject, and generating and outputting a signal according to the detected return light; a determination part for determining whether or not a first output pattern set based on the predetermined light emission pattern matches a second output pattern acquired by detecting an output state of a signal output from the light detection part when the light source part is emitting light in the predetermined light emission pattern; a light volume control part for executing control to set the light volume of the illumination light supplied from the light source part to either a first light volume or a second light volume smaller than the first light volume based on the result of the determination by the determination part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope system and an endoscope system control method, and more particularly to an endoscope system used for observation in a body cavity and an endoscope system control method.

  In endoscopes in the medical field, various techniques have been proposed for reducing the diameter of an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity of a subject in order to reduce the burden on the subject. As an example of such a technique, a scanning endoscope that does not include a solid-state imaging device in a portion corresponding to the above-described insertion portion, and a system that includes the scanning endoscope are known. ing.

  Specifically, a system having a scanning endoscope, for example, 2 subjects are scanned in a preset scanning pattern by swinging the tip of an illumination fiber that guides illumination light emitted from a light source. Dimensionally scanned, the return light from the subject is received by a light receiving fiber disposed around the illumination fiber, and an image of the subject is generated based on the return light received by the light receiving fiber. Has been. And as what has a structure similar to such a system, the scanning beam apparatus disclosed by patent document 1 is known, for example.

  However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a configuration that changes the beam output level in accordance with the position of the scanning beam probe.

  Therefore, according to the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, even when the scanning beam probe is arranged outside the body cavity, the same output as when the scanning beam probe is arranged inside the body cavity. A situation may occur where a beam with a level continues to be irradiated. As a result, according to the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that an unnecessary increase in power consumption is caused due to driving of a light source that is a light source that is a source of a beam.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope system and an endoscope system control method capable of suppressing an unnecessary increase in power consumption due to driving of a light source. It is said.

  An endoscope system according to an aspect of the present invention performs a control for causing a light source unit configured to supply illumination light for illuminating a subject and causing the light source unit to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern. A light emission control unit configured, a light detection unit configured to detect a return light of the illumination light irradiated to the subject, generate and output a signal according to the detected return light, and By detecting a first output pattern set based on a predetermined light emission pattern and an output state of a signal output from the light detection unit when the light source unit emits light with the predetermined light emission pattern The determination unit configured to perform processing for determining whether or not the obtained second output pattern matches, and the supply from the light source unit based on the determination result of the determination unit The amount of illumination light Having a light quantity control section configured to perform the control for setting the amount of light or to one of the lower than the first light quantity second amount of light.

  The method for controlling an endoscope system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a step of supplying illumination light for illuminating a subject by a light source unit, and a control for causing the light source unit to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern. And a step in which a light detection unit detects return light from the subject illuminated by the illumination light, and a step in which the light detection unit generates and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected return light, By detecting a first output pattern set based on a predetermined light emission pattern and an output state of a signal output from the light detection unit when the light source unit emits light with the predetermined light emission pattern A step of performing a process for determining whether or not the obtained second output pattern matches, and based on a determination result of the determination unit, the illumination light supplied from the light source unit light And having the steps of light amount control unit performs control for setting to one of the first light quantity or lower than said first light quantity second light quantity.

  According to the endoscope system and the control method of the endoscope system in the present invention, it is possible to suppress an unnecessary increase in power consumption caused by driving of the light source.

The figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the endoscope system which concerns on an Example. The figure which shows an example of the signal waveform of the drive signal supplied to the actuator part of a scanning probe. The figure for demonstrating the time displacement of the irradiation position of the illumination light from the point A to the point B. FIG. The figure for demonstrating the time displacement of the irradiation position of the illumination light from the point B to the point A. FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the process etc. which are performed in the endoscope system which concerns on an Example. The figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the endoscope system which concerns on the modification of an Example.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 6 relate to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the endoscope system according to the embodiment.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope system 1 includes a scanning probe (scanning endoscope) 2 inserted into a body cavity of a subject, and a main body device 3 connected to the scanning probe 2. And a monitor 4 connected to the main unit 3.

  The scanning probe 2 has an insertion portion 11 formed with an elongated shape and flexibility that can be inserted into a body cavity of a subject.

  A connector (not shown) or the like for detachably connecting the scanning probe 2 to the main body device 3 is provided at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 11. An illumination optical system 14 is provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11.

  An illumination fiber 12 configured as a light guide member for guiding the illumination light supplied from the light source unit 21 of the main body device 3 to the illumination optical system 14 is provided in a portion from the base end portion to the distal end portion in the insertion portion 11. A light receiving fiber 13 that receives return light from the subject and guides it to the detection unit 23 of the main unit 3 is inserted therethrough.

  An end portion on the incident end side including the light incident surface of the illumination fiber 12 is disposed in a multiplexer 32 provided inside the main body device 3. Further, the end portion on the emission end side including the light emission surface of the illumination fiber 12 is disposed in the vicinity of the light incident surface of the lens 14a provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11 in a state where it is not fixed by a fixing member or the like. ing.

  The end portion on the incident end side including the light incident surface of the light receiving fiber 13 is fixedly disposed around the light emitting surface of the lens 14 b at the distal end surface of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11. Further, the end on the emission end side including the light emission surface of the light receiving fiber 13 is disposed in a duplexer 36 provided inside the main body device 3.

  The illumination optical system 14 includes a lens 14a that receives illumination light from the illumination fiber 12, and a lens 14b that emits illumination light that has passed through the lens 14a to a subject.

  An actuator unit 15 that is driven based on a drive signal supplied from the driver unit 22 of the main unit 3 is provided in the middle of the illumination fiber 12 on the distal end side of the insertion unit 11.

  The actuator unit 15 is formed of, for example, a piezoelectric element and vibrates according to a first drive signal supplied from the driver unit 22 of the main body device 3, thereby including an end including the light emitting surface of the illumination fiber 12. A first actuator (not shown) configured to be able to swing the portion along a first axial direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 11 is provided. The actuator unit 15 is formed of, for example, a piezoelectric element and vibrates in accordance with the second drive signal supplied from the driver unit 22 of the main body device 3, so that the light emission surface of the illumination fiber 12 is changed. The 2nd actuator (not shown) comprised so that the edge part containing could be rock | fluctuated along the 2nd axial direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction and 1st axial direction of the insertion part 11 Is provided.

  That is, according to the configuration of the actuator unit 15 as described above, in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion unit 11 based on the first drive signal and the second drive signal supplied from the driver unit 22 of the main body device 3. By driving the first actuator and the second actuator that vibrate along two axial directions that are orthogonal to each other, the irradiation position of the illumination light applied to the subject draws a locus corresponding to a predetermined scanning pattern. As described above, the end including the light emitting surface of the illumination fiber 12 can be swung.

  On the other hand, the main device 3 includes a light source unit 21, a driver unit 22, a detection unit 23, a memory 24, and a controller 25.

  The light source unit 21 is configured to supply illumination light for illuminating a subject to the light incident surface of the illumination fiber 12. The light source unit 21 includes a light source 31a, a light source 31b, a light source 31c, and a multiplexer 32.

  The light source 31 a includes, for example, a laser light source that generates red light (hereinafter also referred to as “R light”), and is configured to emit or extinguish light in accordance with control of the controller 25.

  The light source 31b includes, for example, a laser light source that generates green light (hereinafter also referred to as G light), and is configured to emit or extinguish light according to control of the controller 25.

  The light source 31c includes, for example, a laser light source that generates blue light (hereinafter also referred to as B light), and is configured to emit or extinguish light in accordance with the control of the controller 25.

  The multiplexer 32 multiplexes the R light emitted from the light source 31a, the G light emitted from the light source 31b, and the B light emitted from the light source 31c onto the light incident surface of the illumination fiber 12. It is configured so that it can be supplied.

  That is, the light source unit 21 is configured to supply any one of R light, G light, and B light to the light incident surface of the illumination fiber 12. Further, the light source unit 21 is configured so that two or more of the R light, G light, and B light can be combined and supplied to the light incident surface of the illumination fiber 12.

  The driver unit 22 includes a signal generator 33, D / A converters 34a and 34b, and an amplifier 35.

  The signal generator 33 is based on the control of the controller 25 as a first drive signal for swinging the end including the light emitting surface of the illumination fiber 12 along the first axial direction, for example, FIG. A signal having a waveform obtained by applying predetermined modulation to a sine wave as indicated by a broken line is generated and output to the D / A converter 34a. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a signal waveform of a drive signal supplied to the actuator unit of the scanning probe.

  Further, the signal generator 33 is based on the control of the controller 25, for example, as a second drive signal for swinging the end including the light emitting surface of the illumination fiber 12 along the second axial direction. A signal having a waveform in which the phase of the first drive signal is shifted by 90 ° as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 2 is generated and output to the D / A converter 34a.

  The D / A converter 34 a is configured to convert the digital first drive signal output from the signal generator 33 into an analog first drive signal and output the analog first drive signal to the amplifier 35.

  The D / A converter 34 b is configured to convert the digital second drive signal output from the signal generator 33 into an analog second drive signal and output the analog second drive signal to the amplifier 35.

  The amplifier 35 is configured to amplify the first and second drive signals output from the D / A converters 34 a and 34 b and supply the amplified first and second drive signals to the actuator unit 15.

  Here, for example, a first drive signal having a signal waveform as shown by a broken line in FIG. 2 is supplied to the first actuator of the actuator unit 15 and a signal as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. When the second drive signal having a waveform is supplied to the second actuator of the actuator unit 15, the end including the light emitting surface of the illumination fiber 12 is swung in a spiral shape. Accordingly, the surface of the subject is scanned in a spiral shape as shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining temporal displacement of the illumination light irradiation position from point A to point B. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the temporal displacement of the illumination light irradiation position from point B to point A. FIG.

  Specifically, first, at time T1, the illumination light is irradiated to a position corresponding to the point A that is the center point of the irradiation position of the illumination light on the surface of the subject. Thereafter, as the amplitude values of the first and second drive signals increase from time T1 to time T2, the irradiation position of the illumination light on the surface of the subject has a first spiral locus outward from point A. When it is displaced as drawn and further reaches time T2, illumination light is irradiated to point B, which is the outermost point of the illumination light irradiation position on the surface of the subject. Then, as the amplitude values of the first and second drive signals decrease from time T2 to time T3, the irradiation position of the illumination light on the surface of the subject has a second spiral trajectory inward starting from point B. When it is displaced as drawn and further reaches time T3, illumination light is irradiated to point A on the surface of the subject.

  That is, the actuator unit 15 exemplifies the irradiation position of the illumination light irradiated to the subject through the illumination optical system 14 based on the first and second drive signals supplied from the driver unit 22 in FIGS. The end portion including the light exit surface of the illumination fiber 12 can be swung so as to draw a locus corresponding to the spiral scanning pattern.

  The detection unit 23 includes a duplexer 36, detectors 37a, 37b, and 37c, and A / D converters 38a, 38b, and 38c.

  The demultiplexer 36 includes a dichroic mirror and the like, and separates the return light emitted from the light emitting surface of the light receiving fiber 13 into light for each of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components. And it is comprised so that it may radiate | emit to the detectors 37a, 37b, and 37c.

  The detector 37a detects the intensity of the R light output from the duplexer 36, generates an analog R signal corresponding to the detected intensity of the R light, and outputs the analog R signal to the A / D converter 38a. It is configured.

  The detector 37b detects the intensity of the G light output from the duplexer 36, generates an analog G signal corresponding to the detected intensity of the G light, and outputs the analog G signal to the A / D converter 38b. It is configured.

  The detector 37c detects the intensity of the B light output from the duplexer 36, generates an analog B signal according to the detected intensity of the B light, and outputs the analog B signal to the A / D converter 38c. It is configured.

  The A / D converter 38 a is configured to convert the analog R signal output from the detector 37 a into a digital R signal and output it to the controller 25.

  The A / D converter 38b is configured to convert the analog G signal output from the detector 37b into a digital G signal and output the digital G signal to the controller 25.

  The A / D converter 38 c is configured to convert the analog B signal output from the detector 37 c into a digital B signal and output it to the controller 25.

  In other words, the detection unit 23 is configured to detect the return light of the illumination light irradiated to the subject from the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11, and generate and output a signal corresponding to the detected return light.

  The memory 24 stores a control program for controlling the main device 3. The memory 24 also includes information indicating a predetermined scanning pattern used when the end including the light exit surface of the illumination fiber 12 is swung, and a predetermined insertion inserted into a part of the predetermined scanning pattern. The information indicating the light emission pattern and the information indicating the predetermined output pattern set based on the predetermined light emission pattern are respectively stored.

  The controller 25 includes a CPU and the like, and is configured to read a control program stored in the memory 24 and control the light source unit 21 and the driver unit 22 based on the read control program.

  The controller 25 is configured to generate an image based on the R signal, G signal, and B signal output from the detection unit 23 and to output the generated image to the monitor 4.

  Based on the information stored in the memory 24, the controller 25 determines whether or not the insertion unit 11 is disposed in the body cavity, and according to the determination result obtained by performing the determination, the light source unit The light quantity of the illumination light supplied from 21 to the illumination fiber 12 is controlled. The specific contents of such determination and control will be described later.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope system 1 having the configuration as described above will be described. In the following, information indicating the scanning pattern having the first and second spiral trajectories as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the light sources 31 a and 31 c are quenched, and the light source 31 b is intermittently emitted ( Information indicating a light emission pattern that causes (non-continuous light emission) and information indicating an output pattern (pulse signal) preset based on intermittent light emission (non-continuous light emission) of the light source 31b are stored in the memory 24. An example will be described in the case of being stored in the. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing and the like performed in the endoscope system according to the embodiment.

  For example, the controller 25 reads the information stored in the memory 24 immediately after the main device 3 is turned on. The controller 25 having the function as the light emission control unit performs scanning unnecessary for generating an image based on each color signal output from the detection unit 23 from the scanning pattern included in the information read from the memory 24. 5 is performed (step S1 in FIG. 5), and further, a process for inserting the light emission pattern read from the memory 24 into the extracted scanning section SZ is performed (step in FIG. 5). S2).

  Here, although not shown in the center of the spiral trajectory illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, illumination light is irradiated a plurality of times in an area for one pixel due to an increase in scanning density. There is a scanning section as described above. Therefore, for example, the controller 25 scans the subject along the first spiral trajectory illustrated in FIG. 3 and the subject along the second spiral trajectory illustrated in FIG. 4. In the case where an image for one frame is generated each time the second scanning to be completed is completed, the illumination light is applied to the region for one pixel in the central portion of the first and second spiral trajectories. Is extracted as a scanning section SZ, and a process of inserting a light emission pattern read from the memory 24 into the extracted scanning section SZ is performed.

  Alternatively, for example, the controller 25 scans the subject along the first spiral locus illustrated in FIG. 3 and the subject along the second spiral locus illustrated in FIG. 4. When an image for one frame is generated every time one of the second scanning and the scanning is completed, a spiral trajectory corresponding to the other scanning is extracted as the scanning section SZ. Then, a process of inserting the light emission pattern read from the memory 24 into the extracted scanning section SZ is performed.

  The controller 25 having the function as the light amount control unit performs control for scanning the subject by setting the light amount of the illumination light supplied from the light source unit 21 to the light amount LA based on the processing result of step S2 in FIG. This is performed (step S3 in FIG. 5).

  Specifically, for example, the controller 25 turns on the light sources 31a to 31c in the section where the light emission pattern is not inserted by the process of step S2 in FIG. 5 among the scanning patterns included in the information read from the memory 24. Light sources 31a and 31c are scanned in the section (corresponding to at least part of the scanning section SZ) in which the subject is scanned while continuously emitting light with the light amount LA / 3, respectively, and the light emission pattern is inserted by the processing in step S2 in FIG. Is performed, and the light source 31b is controlled to scan the subject while intermittently emitting light (discontinuously) with the light amount LA / 3.

  The controller 25 having a function as a determination unit is performing scanning in the section in which the light emission pattern is inserted by the output pattern SP1 included in the information read from the memory 24 and the process of step S2 in FIG. Next, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the output patterns SP2 obtained by detecting (over time) the output state of the G signal from the A / D converter 38b coincide with each other (see FIG. 5 step S4). In the following, each time the process for generating an image for one frame is performed based on each color signal output from the detection unit 23, the determination process in step S4 in FIG. 5 is performed once. The explanation will be made with reference to.

  When the controller 25 obtains a determination result that the output pattern SP1 and the output pattern SP2 do not match by the determination process in step S4 of FIG. 5, it corresponds to the number of times that the determination result is obtained continuously. After 1 is added to the value of NC (step S5 in FIG. 5), the process of step S7 in FIG. 5 described later is performed.

  When the controller 25 obtains a determination result that the output pattern SP1 and the output pattern SP2 match in the determination process in step S4 in FIG. 5, the controller 25 resets the NC value to 0 (step in FIG. 5). After step S6), the control in step S3 in FIG. 5 is performed.

  The controller 25 determines whether or not the NC value is greater than or equal to a threshold value TH (≧ 2) (step S7 in FIG. 5).

  When the controller 25 obtains a determination result that the NC value is less than the threshold value TH by the process of step S7 in FIG. 5, the controller 25 maintains the NC value used to obtain the determination result. Meanwhile, the control in step S3 in FIG. 5 is performed.

  Further, when the controller 25 having the function as the light quantity control unit obtains a determination result that the NC value is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH by the process of step S7 in FIG. 5, the controller 25 obtains the determination result. While maintaining the value of NC used for the above, based on the processing result of step S2 in FIG. 5, the light amount of the illumination light supplied from the light source unit 21 is set to a light amount LB lower than the light amount LA to scan the subject. Control is performed (step S8 in FIG. 5), and the determination process in step S4 in FIG. 5 is performed again.

  Specifically, for example, the controller 25 turns on the light sources 31a to 31c in the section where the light emission pattern is not inserted by the process of step S2 in FIG. 5 among the scanning patterns included in the information read from the memory 24. The subject is scanned while continuously emitting light with the light amount LB / 3, and in the section where the light emission pattern is inserted by the processing of step S2 in FIG. Then, control is performed to scan the subject while causing intermittent light emission (non-continuous light emission).

  In addition, the light quantity at the time of making the light source 31b light-emit intermittently (non-continuous light emission) in step S8 of FIG. As long as the amount of light can be output from the (A / D converter 38b), it may be set to a desired amount of light.

  That is, according to the processing shown in FIG. 5, for example, the return light that matches the light emission pattern included in the information stored in the memory 24 is received by the light receiving fiber 13, and according to the received return light. When an output pattern signal is output from the detection unit 23, it is determined (estimated) that the insertion portion 11 is disposed in a body cavity that is not affected by external light, and illumination supplied from the light source unit 21. The amount of light is set to the amount of light LA. Further, according to the processing shown in FIG. 5, for example, return light that does not match the light emission pattern included in the information stored in the memory 24 is received by the light receiving fiber 13, and according to the received return light. When the signal of the output pattern is continuously output from the detection unit 23, it is determined (estimated) that the insertion portion 11 is disposed outside the body cavity affected by the external light, and is supplied from the light source unit 21. The amount of illumination light to be set is set to the amount of light LB.

  Therefore, according to the endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment, an unnecessary increase in power consumption caused by driving the light source can be suppressed by performing the processing shown in FIG.

  According to the present embodiment, for example, by setting the threshold value TH used in the process of step S7 in FIG. 5 to 5, control for scanning with the light amount LA and scanning with the light amount LB are performed. Can be switched appropriately.

  On the other hand, the present embodiment is not limited to the one applied to the endoscope system 1 configured to scan the subject by simultaneously irradiating the R light, the G light, and the B light. The present invention can also be applied to an endoscope system 1A configured to scan a subject by sequentially irradiating R light, G light, and B light as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an endoscope system according to a modified example of the embodiment.

  Here, a specific configuration of the endoscope system 1A will be described. In the following, for the sake of simplicity, detailed description of portions to which the same configuration as that of the endoscope system 1 can be applied is appropriately omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the endoscope system 1A includes a scanning probe 2, a main body device 3A connected to the scanning probe 2, and a monitor 4 connected to the main body device 3A. It is configured.

  The main unit 3A includes a light source unit 21, a driver unit 22, a detection unit 23A, a memory 24, and a controller 25.

  The detection unit 23A includes a detector 37d and an A / D converter 38d.

  The detector 37d is configured to generate an analog signal corresponding to the intensity of the return light emitted from the light emitting surface of the light receiving fiber 13 and output the analog signal to the A / D converter 38d.

  The A / D converter 38d is configured to convert the analog signal output from the detector 37d into a digital signal and output the digital signal to the controller 25.

  That is, the detection unit 23A is configured to detect the return light of the illumination light irradiated to the subject from the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11, and generate and output a signal corresponding to the detected return light.

  On the other hand, the controller 25 of the endoscope system 1A has, for example, no light emission pattern inserted by the process of step S2 in FIG. 5 among the scan patterns included in the information read from the memory 24 in step S3 of FIG. In the section, the subject is scanned while the light sources 31a and 31b and the light source 31c are sequentially emitted with the light amount LA / 3. In addition, the light source 31b is controlled to scan the subject while intermittently emitting light (non-continuously) with the light amount LA / 3.

  In addition, the controller 25 of the endoscope system 1A performs scanning in, for example, the section in which the output pattern SP1 included in the information read from the memory 24 and the light emission pattern are inserted by the process of step S2 in FIG. A determination process for determining whether or not the output pattern SP3 of the signal obtained by detecting (over time) the output state of the signal output from the A / D converter 38d coincides with each other Is configured to do.

  Further, for example, the controller 25 of the endoscope system 1A has not inserted the light emission pattern by the process of step S2 of FIG. 5 among the scan patterns included in the information read from the memory 24 in step S8 of FIG. In the section, the subject is scanned while the light sources 31a to 31c are sequentially emitted with the light amount LB / 3, and in the section in which the light emission pattern is inserted by the processing in step S2 of FIG. The light source 31b is configured to perform control for scanning the subject while intermittently emitting light (non-continuously) with a light amount LB / 3.

  That is, in the endoscope system 1A according to the modified example of the present embodiment as described above, an unnecessary increase in power consumption caused by driving of the light source is suppressed in substantially the same manner as in the endoscope system 1. be able to.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that various changes and applications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A Endoscope system 2 Scanning probe 3, 3A Main body apparatus 4 Monitor 11 Insertion part 12 Illumination fiber 13 Light reception fiber 14 Illumination optical system 15 Actuator part 21 Light source unit 22 Driver unit 23, 23A Detection unit 24 Memory 25 controller

Japanese National Table 2010-515947

Claims (10)

A light source unit configured to supply illumination light for illuminating a subject;
A light emission control unit configured to perform control for causing the light source unit to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern;
A light detection unit configured to detect return light of the illumination light applied to the subject and generate and output a signal corresponding to the detected return light;
Detecting a first output pattern set based on the predetermined light emission pattern and an output state of a signal output from the light detection unit when the light source unit emits light with the predetermined light emission pattern; A determination unit configured to perform processing for determining whether or not the second output pattern obtained by
Based on the determination result of the determination unit, control is performed to set the light amount of the illumination light supplied from the light source unit to either the first light amount or the second light amount lower than the first light amount. A light amount control unit configured as described above,
An endoscope system comprising: When the determination unit obtains a determination result that the first output pattern matches the second output pattern, the light amount control unit sets the light amount of the illumination light to the first If the determination result that the first output pattern and the second output pattern do not coincide with each other is continuously obtained a predetermined number of times or more, the illumination light is set. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the second light amount is set to the second light amount. A light guide member configured to guide the illumination light supplied from the end on the incident end side to the end on the output end side;
An actuator configured to be able to displace the irradiation position of the illumination light by oscillating an end of the light guide member on the emission end side according to a predetermined scanning pattern for scanning the subject. And further comprising
The light emission control unit extracts, from the predetermined scanning pattern, a scanning section in which scanning unnecessary for generating an image of the subject based on a signal output from the light detection unit is performed, and within the extracted scanning section The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined light emission pattern is inserted into the endoscope system. The predetermined scanning pattern includes a first spiral trajectory in which the irradiation position of the illumination light travels from the center point of the spiral trajectory to the outermost point, and the irradiation position of the illumination light in the spiral trajectory. The endoscope system according to claim 3, further comprising: a second spiral trajectory from an outermost point toward the center point. The light emission control unit is configured to generate an image of the subject using a section in which illumination light is irradiated a plurality of times in an area of one pixel in the first spiral locus and the second spiral locus. The endoscope system according to claim 4, wherein the endoscope system is extracted as a scanning section in which unnecessary scanning is performed. The light emission control unit uses one of the first spiral trajectory and the second spiral trajectory as a scanning section in which scanning unnecessary for generating an image of the subject is performed. The endoscope system according to claim 4, wherein the endoscope system is extracted. The light source unit includes a first light source that generates red light, a second light source that generates green light, and a third light source that generates blue light,
The light emission control unit causes the second light source to intermittently emit light while extinguishing the first light source and the third light source in a section in which the predetermined light emission pattern is inserted in the predetermined scanning pattern. The control for causing each of the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source to emit light continuously is performed in a section in which the predetermined light emission pattern is not inserted. The endoscope system according to 3. The light source unit includes a first light source that generates red light, a second light source that generates green light, and a third light source that generates blue light,
The light emission control unit causes the second light source to intermittently emit light while extinguishing the first light source and the third light source in a section in which the predetermined light emission pattern is inserted in the predetermined scanning pattern. The control for sequentially emitting the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source is performed in a section in which the predetermined light emission pattern is not inserted. Endoscope system. The determination unit performs the first output pattern and the second output pattern every time processing for generating an image of the subject for one frame is performed based on a signal output from the light detection unit. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein a process for determining whether or not is consistent with each other is performed once. A light source unit supplying illumination light for illuminating the subject;
A light emission control unit performing control for causing the light source unit to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern;
A step of detecting return light from the subject illuminated by the illumination light, a light detection unit generating and outputting a signal corresponding to the detected return light;
Detecting a first output pattern set based on the predetermined light emission pattern and an output state of a signal output from the light detection unit when the light source unit emits light with the predetermined light emission pattern; A step in which the determination unit performs a process for determining whether or not the second output pattern obtained by
Based on the determination result of the determination unit, the light amount is controlled to set the light amount of the illumination light supplied from the light source unit to either the first light amount or the second light amount lower than the first light amount. Steps performed by the control unit;
A control method for an endoscope system, comprising:

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